The Des Moines news reporter who noted our anti-war message at the entrance of Saturday's Republican Straw Poll in Ames, Iowa, did not stay around long enough to see the real story. Our banners actually got an amazingly good reception!
Positioned as we were at the entrance to the event, we were surprised at how many of the thousands of straw poll attendees (even those clad in Pawlenty and Santorum t-shirts) responded positively to the "Come Home America" message. Banners warning that "Endless War = Endless Debt" and "War IS Taxing" resonated with people of all political (conservative, libertarian, and socially progressive) backgrounds who stopped to talk, with some even giving up an hour or two of their time to help us hold the banners.
The truth is that progressives who support social safety nets, funding of public education, and who are opposed to the widening disparity between the wealthiest and the poor cannot possibly see their goals realized without the US government changing course away from the last decade of destructive and costly wars. Libertarians will not see restoration of civil liberties, adherence to the Constitution and away from national security policing and "War Presidency" empowerment. "Greens" will not see more funding and research diverted to sustainable and environmentally clean energy technologies. And fiscal conservatives cannot possibly get the small, decentralized government they long for while the United States seeks costly world empire and military superpower status.
All of these worthwhile goals are connected by money and are antithetical to the US' spending on runaway militarism. If the American government continues to be controlled by the military-industrial-congressional-media complex, in defiance of this popular consensus, throwing away trillions of hard-earned and increasingly scarce taxpayer dollars on bombs, drone technology, armoring tanks, and outright corporate contractor fraud, none of these other objectives are possible.
So while hundreds of national media in Iowa covered the actual, close straw poll finish (near tie) of Michele Bachmann (only beating Ron Paul by 152 votes) and did not seem to care or cover the enormous outpouring we witnessed from people of different political backgrounds and loyalties, the consensus for ending the wars and runaway militarism is building. Numerous polls confirm we're approaching a unique moment where a variety of rationales for ending the wars are coming together that transcend prior political differences.
In any event, look for our Come Home America initiative and banners to represent this remarkable convergence outside some of Obama's upcoming speeches as well as other major political events throughout the nation. By strengthening the emerging consensus, it may be possible to end the insanity of these wars. While politicos and horse race bettors constantly talk of making their selections using the "lesser of two evils" formula, one thing is clear. It is the issues that matter more than the political personalities and unjust, unnecessary WAR is not the lesser of two evils! It is THE EVIL that corrupts and contaminates everything else.
The Nation: It's Hallelujah In Iowa For Bachmann
Scenes from the Iowa Straw Poll
Herman Cain: Inside the presidential debate
Michele Bachmann Versus Michelangelo
Best in Blogs: Bachmann Gets Tough Questions
Kevin Zeese
Co-chairman
The Shadows LOVE to divide and conquer. Don't let them do it this time. If we keep going as we are the U.S. will be unrecognizable to us in 5-10 years. Do you want a revolution or another civil war? Secession? It may come to that if we don't get things in order NOW and make some compromises.
Finally, do you think it a coincidence that the media isn't covering Ron Paul? The Shadows in our country own and control the media and they have their chosen. For now it's Barrack Obama because he does their bidding. If not , they may go with Rick Perry. Bachman and Palin are just diversion and a way to PUSH voters toward Obama or Perry out of fear. (Yes, they may fear their stupidity and lack of experience.)
Remember Progressives, the enemy of my enemy is my ally -- is my friend.
Don't you think we have to get past these party lables folks and look at the WHY our country is broken and the prioritize solutions to fix it? I would definitely vote for Ron Paul for the reasons listed below:
Firstly and foremost: The Shadows who are really running things HATE him. They have their Lamestream Media (and really all media) totally ignore him. They FEAR him because he wants to shut down the FED and the Military Industrial Complex Remember , the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Secondly: He has got a fair amount of campaign money, a campaign machine in place and an appeal with with TRUE conservatives as well as those in the middle and even Libs. He could WIN if we all support him.
Thirdly, I think that most of us would agree that the system is broken. It is broken because of the power the Banks and the Military Industrila Complex has in our country. If we didn't spend trillions on foreign wars , that money could re-build our infrastructure . If we had a President , in charge of the DOJ , who actually prosecute and jail wrongdoers on Wall Street, we wouldn't have had the sub-prime mortgage mess. I can give some on domestic issue to achieve these two very important things; close the Federal Reserve, and close most of the military bases around the world and stoop the wars.
RON PAUL 2012!!! He is the only one who will end the wars!!